Slow Down the Story

Concept

Stories fill gaps automatically

Our minds connect separate details into a smooth story. That is useful, but the connection may be invented. A timeline exposes where observation ends and interpretation begins.

Example

The broken classroom model

Click to zoomIllustration supporting The broken classroom model

You saw a student near the model, heard a crash later and then found it broken. Those facts do not prove who touched it or why. Several unseen events could fit between them.

Remember

Thinking tool

Draw four boxes: before, observed event, missing gap, after. Put a question mark wherever you do not have direct evidence.

Try it

Your mission

Choose a harmless misunderstanding from a story, match or school day. Build a timeline using only confirmed details, then list three possible gap-fillers.

Quick Checkpoint

Check your judgement

Quiz

What should you do when two observed events have a gap between them?

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